Catalina Fleet 21 - Chicago Region
FleetSheet Newsletter

November 2007

ANNUAL BANQUET NOVEMBER 17

How many Catalina Fleet 21 banquets have you attended? One couple in our Fleet can answer more than 30! (This is the 34th banquet !). Many members have attended 15 or 20. Our newer members can say 4 or 5. If your answer is none, you’re missing out on what our Fleet is all about: good company, good food, and fun centered around sailing. It’s not too late for you to attend this year’s banquet. While invitations have been sent, you can still RSVP by calling Carolyn DeAre at 630-469-6117 or emailing her at deare30@sbcglobal.net. If you’ve never attended the banquet or if you are a new member, we promise to make you feel at home and welcome. By the end of the evening, you’ll know many fellow Catalina owners and you’ll really feel like you’re a part of the club.

One highlight of the evening is the presentation of our Fleet awards. The Board names a Boat of the Year for extra effort in seamanship, participation, and service; a Racer of the Year for racing plus participation in other club activities; and Rookie of the Year for a new member who has been active in the organization by attending meetings, outings, and/or racing regardless of past sailing experience. Past winners of these awards is a Who’s Who of Catalina Fleet 21. The Commodore also selects the winner of his award which goes to someone instrumental to his success and the success of the Fleet.

The 2008 officers are also installed as part of the festivities. Our board for next year is as follows: Commodore, Brian Ruxton; Vice Commodore, Ed Jakubas; Secretary, Nancy Bartlett and Treasurer, Bill Thompson. After that’s out of the way it’s down to some serious dancing. We’ll have raffle prizes to award and everyone goes home with a table favor. Join us! The Banquet is Saturday, November 17 at the Burnham Park Yacht, 1500 S. Linn White Drive.
Cost is $50 for dinner, dancing, open bar.


A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE

As I write this, the final Commodore’s message of 2007, the sailing season is still not technically over. For any of you brave souls who have not taken your boats out for the winter I can only offer one piece of advice … BE CAREFUL.

Our final meeting of the year was once again a huge success. Sue and Scott Welty presented us with an interactive presentation of the second leg of their voyage to wherever they wind up. Florida to the Dominican Republic. I always try to count members (or sometimes dogs) to see how we’re doing. There were over 50 people in the presentation room and another 15-20 in the bar area. Most seemed to be paying attention to Sue and Scott such was the quality of there presentation. Again we thank them for taking the time to custom tailor such a wonderful presentation. Oh yes… one other thing… Scott’s book, “The Why of Sailing” is still available for the unheard of low price of $15.00. It is one of the best books I have ever read.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being your Commodore his year. It has been an honor and a privilege. 2007 has been a great year and I and my family have had a great time with the Club. I want to thank everybody who was on the board this year, everybody who helped with an outing or ran an event. I don’t want to exclude anyone and I always try to mention the people who have stepped up in all my messages but I think there is some special recognition needed for a few of our club members. Thanks to Ed Jakubas and all those who worked with him on bringing the 30 International’s to Chicago. A special thanks to Larry and Pat Meekma who hosted our North Point outing. Hopefully that can be the start of an expanded relationship with all the Catalina owners up north. Thanks to Ken Heyman who put together our Club’s first “dog-inclusive” outing. That list is by no means inclusive. It goes without saying that the Board and Officers deserve special praise as well. I will mention everybody by name at the banquet this year. The only way to find out if I miss anyone is to attend the banquet. This year’s banquet will have everything. A lakefront view. Excellent food, drink and the price is unbeatable. Please make the effort to attend.

The three short paragraphs above could be my final words as Commodore, but they are not. I have been elected to serve as Commodore again next year along with Ed Jakubas - Vice-Commodore; Bill Thompson – Treasurer; and Nancy Bartlett – Secretary. It is my belief, and hope, that the continuity of officers means that we will hit 2008 running. 2008 is our 35th Anniversary year. We plan to make it special and we need help. If I or another officer happens to call you in the next two months and perhaps asks you to fill a position or otherwise help out, please do your best to give us some of your time and help out. We all are busy but we all joined this Club for a reason.

The first board meeting of next year will be January 11, 2008 at my and Deborah’s home. This is the second Friday of the month but the first Friday comes only two full days after New Year’s Day. I plan on sending an e-mail out about an agenda for the meeting and the year well in advance of that meeting. We’d love to get some new blood so if you’re interested call me or talk to me at the banquet.

I hope to see all of you at the banquet. If you can’t attend have a wonderful holiday season and bless each and everyone of you and your families.

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Tell the story behind the name of your boat. I’d like to feature one boat each month. What’s your boat name and why? Does it reflect a hobby, a girl friend, a memory? It doesn’t have to be long. Send your story to the Fleet Sheet Editor at deare30@sbcglobal.net. Include a picture if possible.

MEMBERSHIP

Get well wishes go out to Del Kleitz and Walt Ahern both recovering from knee replacement surgery and to Barry Garr recovering from ankle surgery. Now we know what sailors do in the off season!

BUY/TRADE/SELL

FOR SALE: 1984 Catalina 27, tall rig

EQUIPMENT:
Main and 150 Genoa
Wheel and auto helm
18hp inboard Diesel
VHS radio
Bimini
Teak cockpit table
C-Cushions
Propane two-burner range top
Pressure water with shower
Flush-to-tank head
Built-in ice chest
Cradle
Quick to answer the helm, easy and fun to sail, great for two or a small family.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Don or Lydia Giuliano 630 805-2316 or 708 771-5965 dlgiuliano@comcast.net

Fleet members may list items they want to sell, trade or buy in this column without any charge. Send listings to Fleet Sheet Editor, 306 Linden Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 or fax to 630-668-8950 or email to deare30@sbcglobal.net.


2008 EVENTS

The Awards Banquet on the 17th of November is our last event of 2007. There is no general meeting in December and no Fleet Sheet. Our next event is the Pot Luck in January. While we do not have a firm date yet, this is generally the third Saturday in January which makes it Jan. 19. Watch the web site and look for your January Fleet Sheet for all the details.

Add to the Banquet fun! Contribute a raffle basket. Put together a raffle basket…it can have a theme (like margaritas or lighthouses or it doesn’t have to be nautical) and bring it to the banquet. Call Lucy Jakubas at 630-910-1729 and let her know you’ll bring a raffle item
(it doesn’t have to be in a basket!)


Strictly Sail follows shortly after the Pot Luck.
This year it is January 31 – February 3. Again this year we’ll have a Fleet 21/LMCA (Lake Michigan Catalina Association) rendezvous on the Saturday night of the show. Details are on the flyer included in this newsletter.



IT’S OFFICIAL
(Ted says so…)

Hammond Marina is reopening May 2008!
We all look forward to the return of our great Hammond outings and the wonderful welcome we’ve always received there.

Happy
Thanksgiving!